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Transnet trainee marine pilot drowns at sea after falling from ladder

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Sunday, 05 November 2017 23:16

Sunday Tribune reports that a trainee marine pilot fell into rough seas and drowned while trying to board a sailing vessel last week.

Thandeka Mzimela, who had been employed as a trainee pilot with Transnet for four months, had a fear of heights. On Wednesday, she tried to climb onto an incoming vessel, became overwhelmed, lost her grip on the ladder, fell and subsequently drowned. She was with a senior pilot and another trainee. A witness said: “She had reached the middle rung on the ladder when she shouted she was tired. She yelled buyani, buyani (come back) to the others before she lost her grip. Everyone tried to help her but the sea was too rough.” Another witness stated: “Her lifejacket kept her afloat for about half an hour. Then she suddenly disappeared.” Durban port manager Moshe Motlohi said an investigation had been launched into the incident.